I had the opportunity to attend a wine tasting in early April at the Old Arizona Theater at 29th
and Nicollet in Minneapolis sponsored by The Wine Company. The wine tasting was a benefit
for the Land Stewardship Project. As their website states, “The Land Stewardship Project
(LSP) is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1982 to foster an ethic of stewardship for
farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture and to develop sustainable communities.”
The Wine Company donated all the proceeds to LSP and as part of Earth Day poured more than
60 wines for the tasting all of which were grown via “Sustainable” (S), “Organic” (O) and/or
“Biodynamic” (B) agricultural practices.
I sampled many wines that evening. Some that were outstanding included the following (in no
particular order):
Anton Bauer │ Grüner Veltliner Reid Rosenberg │ 2004
Very aromatic nose and lots of fruit balanced perfectly with bright acidity. The loam soil gives
this wine its wonderful mineral quality followed by a little white pepper flavor. (S)
San Michele a Torri│Chianti Fiorentini │2004
Interesting nose of dried roses and crushed strawberries. This is a very versatile food wine but
oriented towards more complex foods than most Chianti, except Reserva. (O)
Marcel Deiss │Pinot Gris │"Beblenheim" │2003
Full and lush, but as with all Deiss wines, balanced, and even dignified. “Beblenheim” is the same
village from which the Riesling varietal comes. (B)
Domaine des Baumard│Quarts de Chaume │2003
Pure sweet chenin blanc.. Perfect acid vs. sugar ratio. Very long, stylish finish. (O)
Tablas Creek│Cotes de Tablas Rose│2005
Deep color, almost cranberry-like, with exotic scents of white pepper and spice. Flavors of
rhubarb, cherries, and slight leather. (O)
Enjoy any of them with the foods of spring.
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